Q&A: Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins says his office is on right track

The Dallas Morning News recently sat down with Dallas County District Attorney Craig Watkins to talk about his second term in office and reflect on his first four years in the post. He addressed how he’s changed since taking office and how he’s handled criticism and working with county commissioners.

What changes do you see ahead for your office during your second term?

I think it’s more of a continuation of the things we’ve done in the past. {ellipsis} There’s a comfort level for me personally to do some things that I had initially thought could have been done in the first term. But because of the political climate , it was somewhat difficult to do them . {ellipsis} The policies we put in place are for public consumption. But internal things that we’re doing to make the office work a little bit better , I think because of the election and I won, it gives me the ability to make internal, improve upon internal controls within this office. {ellipsis} Because we won re-election, I think it’d be very difficult to see much dissension.

Can you provide some examples of internal policy changes?

I think it would be best if we did that after we see that they’re working.

You’ve acknowledged in the past that some of the criticism you’ve received has bothered you and that you’ve sometimes been thin -skinned. Do you think you are still unfairly criticized?

I like thin -skinned. I like someone that’s going to be dedicated to the small things because that means, I’m getting, as a citizen, better government. I’m getting someone that pays attention. I’m getting someone that’s looking out for my interests and that’s not making decisions politically . {ellipsis} What I’d like to tell the public is, ‘Hey I’m your DA , and I do and I will continue to take things personally because your public safety is personal to me. And I would hope you respect that.’

How have you changed in the last four years? How are you different both as person and as a DA?

It took me some time to realize that everything we go through as politicians is not personal . {ellipsis} I’ve calmed down and settled a little bit.

Is there anything you would change about your first term?

I don’t think anything of significance . {ellipsis} I honestly believe, and I know it may sound pompous or arrogant, but I think we pretty much exercise our duties as prosecutors almost perfectly. Now, if that question veered over into the political realm of things, obviously there are things I could have done better politically. But at the end of the day, my job is as prosecutor, as district attorney of Dallas County. And that means that we have to seek justice. And, I think, without a doubt, no one could question whether or not we’ve done that over the last four years.

You have five things you think the Legislature should consider this session: Taking a DNA sample after every arrest, eyewitness identification reforms, standards for storing evidence, videotaping police interviews with suspects and forgiving student loans for those who serve as prosecutors. What do you think is the most likely to pass?

I think someone that has an open mind and they don’t come to the table with any bias or prejudice, and they are willing to pursue what has been laid out for years in our Constitution, in our code of criminal procedure and the penal code, no matter what the stakes are . {ellipsis} We also look for someone who has a talent and the expertise to do that. And so it’s pretty simple: Can you follow the law, although it sometimes may be difficult to do that or unpopular? And can you implement that in a way that transcends to the citizens of Dallas County to where they can understand it?

What makes a prosecutor not fit to work in your office even if they are good at their job? (At least nine prosecutors have been fired or asked to resign since Watkins won re -election in November.)

I think that’s something that needs to be left in the interview room.

How will you work with county commissioners while still protecting the district attorney’s office? There will once again be a budget shortfall and a need for cuts.

I know some of you in the media don’t like to focus on the fact that there was a political strategy in the whole budget process as it related to, in particular, to this office over the last three years. Going forward, we’re not going to have that . {ellipsis} I’ve already been in contact with the two new commissioners and two of the old . {ellipsis} I have all confidence in our new Commissioners Court to put a priority on public safety, unlike the Commissioners Court that we’ve had over the last few years.

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